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KATRINJE 




A TALE OF 
THE LONG AGO 



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KATRINJE 

A TALE OF THE LONG AGO ^ 



BY 

J. Russell mowris / 



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CINCINNATI 
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Copyright, 1922 
J. Russell Mowris 



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CONTENTS 



PAGE 

The Christening 9 

Early Days 10 

Katrinje 15 

Petrius 16 

Love's Echoes 17 

The House That Was a Home 18 

The Garden 20 

" Mammy-Jen" 22 

Slavery Days 25 

The Wedding 28 

The Alarm 38 

The Covenant 42 

Fullfilment 43 




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KATRINJE 



THE CHRISTENING 

Where the Rondout winds its way, 
Like a serpent in its play, 

Twisting through the reeds and brakes, 
Till a larger form it takes; 

Joined by other streams along 
With the music of their song, 

Sometimes swift and sometimes slow; 
Like an arrow from the bow; 

Or, now, curling, twirling, go 
Crystal waters in their flow! 

Where the river's grace grows strong, 
Where it sings its sweetest song, 

Where the Catskills stretch their feet 
Till the Shawangunk hills they meet, 

Seventeen miles from old King's-town — 
Where good Dutch folk settled down — 

There, like child o'er-tired with play, 
As on mother's breast it lay. 

Drinking in that purest rest 
Such as angels give the blest; 

So the little hamlet seemed, 
For its face with beauty beamed. 

Fairest far of all its race. 

Sweet "Accord" they named the place. 



10 KATRINJE 



EARLY DAYS 

'Twas here, so many years before, 
When known as simply "Rochester" — 

That patent name, by Enghsh Crown, 
In seventeen three, was first set down; 

Including then much more domain 

Than now that township's bounds contain. 

Far back, in sixteen seventy-seven, 
A deed to England had been given, 

By Sewakenamo, Sachem 
Of Katatawis — best of them 

Who, as Esopus Indian chiefs, 
Sought to o'ercome the lingering griefs 

Attendant on that earlier day. 
When Wildwijk and Kahanesing lay 

In ruins, by the murderous hands 
Of Tory and of Indian bands. 

Then, Shawangunk, too, beyond the crest 
Of mountain, had been like distressed. 

But that, in sixteen sixty-three. 
Would soon be ancient history. 

So, now, the settlers, well assured 
That all worst things had been endured, 

With larger faith and stronger heart, 
Made living there their chief fine art! 

And, while at "Kerck Wawarssinck", they 
Were met with God to praise and pray, 



EARLY DAYS 11 



Their powder dry and guns in sight, 
They watched, prepared as well, to fight. 

For years, maintained on Deyo's Hill, 
A fort, long garrisoned, was still 

In evidence — even as late 

As eighteen hundred sixty-eight. 

A relic, then, of former times 
When psalm of life, unset to rhymes, 

Had oft a broken melody 
And singing bullets set the key. 

In Rochester and Wawarssinck, 
Or far beyond as one might think. 

More pleasant place could not well be 
Than right here! "Just the place for me!" 

Captain Joachim Schoonmaker said: 
And here he planned his own homestead. 

Nature, to him, through loving eyes. 
Revealed her heart — a Paradise! 

And many generations rose 

To bless that which his wisdom chose; 

And many yet, in later age. 
Will count it "goodly heritage." 

What wonder then, that there should be 
Where staunchly grew the great roof -tree, 

With roots so deep and branches high 
It seemed to wed to earth the sky; 

While wide-extending arms o'erspread 
With safety, peace and love, 'tis said; 



12 KATRINJE 



With meat and drink abundant share 
To guest, as well as owner, there! 

The stealthy foot in moccasin, 

On friendship bent, oft came within 

To bear the news of some exploit 
Of cunning scheme or skill adroit 

Of routing wolves or trapping bear; 
And, always with some part to spare. 

Red-skin brought trophies of the chase 
To prove to Pale-face his heart's grace. 

Thus compact, signed by life sincere, 
Made faith more sure each added year; 

And each day's setting sun betold 
A richer wealth by far than gold 

Piled up in coin or garnered grain 
That one could count his earthly gain; 

For sire's best legacy to youth 
Was just the simple life of truth! 

By patent grant, these lands had come 
To early settlers, seeking home; 

And large estates lay side by side. 
With acres stretching hundreds wide. 

So parents oft gave children part 
Of their ancestral lands, as start 

To make their independent way — 
A dowry for their wedding-day! 



EARLY DAYS 13 



Rare neighbors were these families; 
Each trading work to give more ease 

To gathering grain, when crops were big 
Or, even sticking of a pig. 

If unexpected company 

Should happen, some day, suddenly 

To come; their own men having gone 
To town, with stuff to sell; or, drawn 

On "jury duty," had to stay 
In town all night; or be away 

In that big mountain pasture-lot. 
To see the fence had no weak spot, 

Before they turned the young stock in. 
Those creatures soon got wild as sin! 

It was a sight to feast the eyes 
When, coming on them by surprise, 

With deer and fawns they ran a race 
From some sequestered drinking-place! 

When acorns and the beech-nuts grew 
In plenty, hogs were turned in, too. 

Sometimes, at night, a pig's shrill squeal 
Or calf's loud bawl would make one feel 

A chill ; for everybody knew 

What hungry wolves and panthers do! 

Then to the Stokes house, 'gainst the hill. 
Near by where runs the Stony-kill, 

Where Log-town road leads to the Clove, 
With flint-locks loaded, on they drove; 



14 KATRINJE 



Past where Awosting Falls displays 
It's beauty, in it's rainbow sprays, 

When first the sun creeps up the sides 
Of cliffs where Minnewaska hides; 

Or by the trail where Mohonk Lake 
Reflects its rocky shores, which make 

Deep caverns, where ofttimes a bear, 
Or wolf, or panther had its lair. 

And scattered round among the stones. 
Were lots of gnawed-off, whitened bones. 

They went — a dozen, more or less; 
And each man ached with eagerness, 

In hopes to reach the place of fray 
Before the "varmints" got away. 

For soon as blood was on the air. 

The old beasts brought their young ones there; 

And while the feast was at its height, 
The hunters let their flint-locks bite. 

So most homes had a rug or more, 

Or coat, or robe, some beast once wore. 



KATRINJE 15 



KATRINJE 

Of gallant youths and maidens fair 
The country had its goodly share; 

But none more comely could be found, 
In all that countryside around, 

Than one whose grace adorned the name 
''Katrinje Schoonmaker" — the same 

In heaven and earth; for God well knew 
He need not wait to call her through 

The pearly gates, at any time — 
Her life — so simple, yet sublime! 

Her face shone forth a heavenly light 
Which told the world her soul was white; 

Her tender touch cast such a spell 

That sick folk soon grew strong and well; 

And those who'd felt the blight of sin 
Were sure they'd let an angel in, 

When, as by chance, she passed theirVay 
And merely spoke the time of day! 

For Sharon's rose, with fragrance^sweet, 
Filled all her world with heavenj_complete. 



16 KATRINJE 



PETRIUS 

Of lovers, more than tongue could tell; 
But only one, who knew right well 

That every impulse of her heart 
Formed of his own a sacred part! 

Petrius van der Marcken — he 
So much her true affinity 

That, whether she thought "yea," or "nay," 
His mind was just the same alway! 

As stalwart as some giant oak. 

On which oft storms their vengeance broke; 

Yet left upon the passing scene 
The giant undisturbed, serene. 

Thus Petrius; so strong, so good — 
A monarch, in his realm, he stood! 

A heart to laugh, a voice to sing. 
Yet ruled, as every inch a king! 

He turned the glebe and sowed the grain; 
Rich harvests followed sun and rain: 

Barns filled so full, and coffers, too, 
Want seemed forever lost to view! 

With his delight it was to share 
And all who needed, anywhere. 



LOVE'S ECHOES 17 



LOVE'S ECHOES 

The woodman's ax rang clear and shrill 
With echoed song from distant hill; 

And every stroke rehearsed its part 
In some sweet symphony of heart; 

While husking-bees and singing-schools 
Had indicated all the rules, 

By which a young man might proclaim 
His right to change a maiden's name. 

Katrinje, too, was not remiss 
In pubhshing that she was his. 

The radiance of her sweetest smile 
Bespoke her constant joy meanwhile. 

"And now," the gossips said, "there'll be 
A wedding grand, most certainly!" 

And sure enough! They watched the signs 
And plainly read between the lines; 

While all about, the countryside 
Hailed with delight the future bride; 

And, as the Captain's grandchild came, 
Spoke tenderly the maiden's name. 



18 KATRINJE 



THE HOUSE THAT WAS A HOME 

Their fathers' farms together lay, 
And measured miles, in either way. 

A hundred acres from each side 

Were parents' gifts to groom and bride; 

And where farms joined, it had been planned 
To build the best house in the land! 

So rocks and stones were heaped up high, 
Where deep foundations were to lie; 

And massive walls, like battlements. 
Opposing Nature's elements, 

Grew large, upon a sightly hill. 
Where Heaven it's glory loved to spill. 

The gables stood due east and west; 

Each topped with chimney, from whose breast 

Glowed hospitality and cheer, 

When wintry winds wailed loud and drear; 

And, in the blackness of the night. 
Oft vagrant sparks would leap in flight, 

Like shooting stars, to chase away 
The goblins, ere the break of day. 

The hall stretched through, from side to side; 
Its Dutch divided-doors flung wide 

Upon an apple-orchard, north; 

Where feathered songsters, bursting forth 

In rapture, sang; while honey-bees 
Buzzed in the blossoms of the trees. 



THE HOUSE THAT WAS A HOME 19 

Humming their songs of glad content — 
Their thanks for sweets the blossoms lent. 

And to the south, the other door 
Revealed what might have been before, 

A bit of Paradise, well gained 

Ere Sin had marked it "lost" or "stained." 



20 KATRINJE 



THE GARDEN 

A rustic arch, o'er which was flung 
A cHmbing bush, where roses hung; 

As if, in redolent delight. 

Their perfumed breath sought to unite 

An atmosphere of pleasing grace 
With beauty of a pretty face! 

Within, the paths all edged with box, 
Made bordered beds for pansies, phlox. 

Narcissus, marigolds — all mixed — 
'Twould seem that Nature's hand had fixed 

The color-blending of their flower 
As for a queen's reception-bower! 

And, farther on, the hollyhocks 
Half-hid the corn, with tasseled stalks; 

While sweet-peas set their flowering screens 
Where other peas ran race with beans; 

Sweet- Williams gallantly stood guard 
Where lettuce, radish and Swiss chard. 

Potato and tomato, too, 

Were on parade, for dress review. 

Gay cock's-combs blushed their deepest reds 
And slightly turned away their heads 

From where the lady-slippers stood. 
What modesty! A joke, too good! 

And there, beyond the lilac-bush. 
The rhubarb, with a gentle push. 



THE GARDEN 21 



Ran up its stalk and spread its leaf — 
So glad that spring-time brought relief! 

The four-o'clocks, with half-shut eyes, 
Murmur their evening Angelus; 

While lavender and mint dispense 
Their spicy odors for incense; 

And poppies throw their bright-hued spread 
Above the portulaccas' bed; 

And all the while, the big sun-flowers 
Have marked the passing of the hours; 

Till Nicotine, from edge of night. 
Flings out her beauteous stars of white; 

Which, with the stars of Heaven above, 
Breathe fragrant message, "God is Love." 



22 KATRINJE 



**MAMMY-JEN" 

"0 Lor' sakes, Chile! Don' nevah say- 
How's you c'n live one single day 

'Thout dis yere ol' mammy o' yourn — 
Who's nussed yer evah sence you'm born! 

In cours', I want ter live wi' you — 
Wat other place on earth 'u'd do 

Fer dis yere ol' black mammy yere, 
D'ye 'spect? No, don' you nevah fear! 

My Honey! dat place whar' am you — 
Right dar' mus' be whar' I is, tool 

Sure, I go wi' you an' Marse Pete! 
An' nevah will I lif my feet 

Evah ter go away f om you; 
Till angels come de glory fru, 

An' call dis yere ol' mammy home 

Ter git things fixed fer when you come!" 



Could ever language more express 

Than when hearts speak? No need to guess! 

At meaning! 'Twas not so o'er-laid 
With wordy rubbish, so well said. 

That Truth — all stifled far beneath — 
Was dead; because it could not breathe! 

Ah, Mammy-Jen, a whiter heart 

Ne'er pumped blood more red, for its part 



"MAM MY- JEN" 23 



In making of the best mankind — 
Though blacker face one ne'er could find 

Than yours; which beamed its glory bright 
Like noon-day from a deep mid-night! 

No need of Proclamation's word, 
Nor battle-smoke, nor fire, nor sword 

To make you free! Although a slave, 
You took such place as master gave. 

Like other thousands, south and north. 
Where love and truth set seal of worth 

Upon Humanity as God's, 

'Twas not a question of the bloods 

Which mark the difference of race 
In minds and features of the face! 

The kind of heart strings and their length — 
The institution and the strength 

By which mankind is bound or freed — 
A greater thing than Law or Creed! 

Such bonds were yours, dear Mammy-Jen, 
As real, true motherhood had been! 

While wrapping round your own off -spring 
Your heart of love and sheltering wing, 

You wove into your service rare 
Such comfort for white babies there 

That all distinctions, through that love, 
Were lost entirely! God above 



24 KATRINJE 



Well knew that, should the nestlings need, 
You'd be full equal to the deed 

Of shredding from your heart the strings 
And yet more widely spread your wings 

To make secure the nest where they, 
In bondage of your love, might lay 

Their heads against the breast where beat 
The heart e'en Death could not defeat! 

So, Mammy-Jen's dear, old, black face 
And willing hand had old-time place 

In the new home. Her loving heart 
Continued in its heavenly art 

Of living life, in simple touch, 
Interpreting Christ's "Inasmuch." 



SLAVERY DAYS 25 



SLAVERY DAYS 

Phoebe, own child of Mammy-Jen, 
And other women slaves, from ten 

To twenty — often more, than less — 
Were part of place and premises 

Where Miss Katrinje had been bom. 
And always, from that very mom, 

Beloved by them, she loved them, too! 
Now, married she — what should they do? 

For her to pass from their life's scene, 
At once a question it had been 

As to how many there should be 
Of these old servants who should see 

Continuance with "Missus Kate" 
In her new home. So Phoebe's state 

Of daughterhood to Mammy-Jen — 
Waiting-maid and playmate had been 

Throughout the early years; and now, 
She found her place just where and how 

One might expect. Then, Lindy, who 
With Chloe, composed the kitchen crew. 

Made working household quite complete 
For "Missie Deah" and "Marsa Pete." 



26 KATRINJE 



There too, had been men slaves, like Ben, 
And Tom, and Jake, and Mark; who, when 

The master, years before, gave land 

With freedom and with home, each planned 

To settle there in New York State. 
There some had lived till, time grown late, 

They fell asleep; and daisies hide 
Where now their forms rest side by side. 

And, over near the edge of wood. 

The grave, which sealed the widowhood 

Of Mammy-Jen, raised its low bed 
To pillow Jedidiah's head. 

Some others, by adventure stirred. 

Joined negro friends, from whom they'd heard 

Of Amherstburgh, "across the line" 
In Canada. And there, in fine, 

They found a refuge — one free town 
Where blacks could not be hunted down! 

For it must here be understood 
That all masters were not so good 

As to grant freedom to their slaves; 
In north, as well as south, white knaves 

Sought gains in bartering human flesh; 
And some fair price ne'er slipped the mesh 

Of their tight fingers' grasping greed. 
Nor stayed the pace of bargains* speed. 

So, often when oppression sore 

Made living worse than death, blacks bore 



SLAVERY DAYS 27 



To Canada, from everywhere, 
A common weal or woe to share. 

By stealth, they took uncertain flight 
Through woods; or, covered by the night, 

Were spirited on their dark way 
And held in friendly homes by day. 

Poor fugitives, whose masters claimed 

Each pound of their black flesh, though maimed 

By cruel lash or blood-hounds' teeth ; 
Or faint, the wintry storm beneath! 

For this free land, which from its birth 
Had beckoned to the ends of earth 

A welcome to the world's oppressed. 
To set its seal upon distressed 

Humanity's bondage to men 
And ransom for return again. 

Should any slave slip off the coils 
Which held him as another's spoils, 

To us seems now a fairy tale. 
Fit only Hades to regale! 

There's scarce one left who can recall 
The awfulness, distress and all 

The misery of that woful time 
When slave-hunting was in its prime! 



28 KATRINJE 



THE WEDDING 

It was the month of roses — June; 
All Nature was in true attune 

With that great universal theme 
Which once made Eden lovelier seem; 

For next to love of God in Heaven 
Is loving heart of woman given! 



Perhaps fair Luna had conspired 

With Sol; and that their hearts were fired 

With that benignant element, 
And sympathetic ardor lent 

To making of a perfect day. 

For every cloud was tucked away, 

Except a few — like curtains hung 
About the dome of heaven — strung 

As dainty, festooned draperies. 
Giving air of sumptuous grace 

To some grand, regal banquet hall. 
And softly filtering over all, 

Fell glory of Sol's radiance — 
A king's welcoming cognizance! 

Andries, goodman of the house vied 
With Sol; Annje, his wife, supplied 

That queenly grace, which makes a home 
More than a place to which to come. 



THE WEDDING 29 



Preparations in course had been 
For many months; and all were in 

Expectant state of hearty glee; 
And yet, with that solemnity 

Which marks the presence of a joy 
Borne in on angels' wings — convoy 

Of God's best gifts to men, at times 
When ring in human hearts the chimes 

Of heavenly music, when speaks God's voice, 
In sealing some eternal choice. 

'Squire" Klaerwater, a family friend, 
From Kings-town had come to put an end 

To such matters as might deserve 
The law's hand, by which to conserve 

To youthful twain "rights to possess" 
In friendly peace and happiness. 

So he his seal and signature 

Had fixed to deeds, to make secure 

The new home, with lands and other 
Gifts, such as father and mother 

Only can think of for the child 

Of their hearts' love, who has beguiled 

Them their affection to divide. 

Or to make their hearts' space so wide 

As to include that other heart. 
Which, to their child, is counterpart. 



30 KATRINJE 



The wedding-guests, from far and near, 
Had planned for well-nigh a whole year 

For this event. From Jersey, some; 
Manhattan, too; others had come — 

And not a few — from Newburgh and 
Poughkeepsie; where steamboats which land 

Along the Hudson, brought all such 

To King's-town Point; then, by stage-coach 

Seventeen miles up the old Lime Road; 
Stopping anon, to change the load 

Of passengers who, with their trunks 
Bounded on and off, with big chunks 

Of merriment, thrown all about 
Like the sunshine, just coming out 

In early morn or after a storm, 
When Nature wakens in best form. 

And long before the time was due, 
The country-folk and town-folk, too, 

Would gather at the village inn 
To meet the stage-coach coming in; 

'To get the mail," some said; but then, 
It was quite apparent that, when 

The letters all distributed. 
That which the mail contributed 

Was, for most, far less than the word 
Of general gossip they had heard. 

The wedding news, of course, would be 
Discussed by every family. 



THE WEDDING 31 



The driver gathered reins and whip 
And braced his feet, so not to sHp; 

Chirped his wheel-horses, gave the lash 
To the leaders; then, for a dash! 

The old stage-coach, like basket hung 
On straps of leather, swayed and swung; 

And, as they drove, the way along, 
Sometimes a jest or snatch of song 

Would almost make the company 
Think they were on a trip at sea; 

Till catching gleam of silver thread. 
Where turns the Rondout in its bed 

Far in the distance, near the wood. 

Or, circling through the meadows strewed 

With bleating flocks, like drifts of snow, 
And winding herds whose gentle low 

Was wafted to them on the breeze. 
Whispering through the wayside trees, 

They halted on some towering hill 
Till every one should drink his fill 

Of beauty of that landscape rare — 
A garden of the Lord stretched there! 

And thus refreshed, onward they went, 
Passing ox-teams with wagons, bent 

All in one direction; all filled 
With happy faces; women frilled 

And furbelowed; men stocked and dressed 
In fancy waistcoats — all their best; 



32 KATRINJE 



But much home-spun — ^home-woven, too; 
Showing what Dutch house-wives could do! 

And here and there, one well could see 
The marks of aristocracy; 

Some silken gown, or Paisley shawl, 
Or broadcloth coat and breeches — all 

Spoke of Britain, France or Holland; 

Whence — ^prized heirlooms from those whose stand 

For larger liberty — came more 
Than clothes for children to adore! 

For it was a glorious truth. 

Where parents' mantles fell on youth, 

Hearts courageous still strongly held 
To principles their lives had spelled! 

Bright faces of the little tots. 
Like daisies or forget-me-nots 

Grown thick amidst a field of green. 
Were scattered in each load as seen 

Moving toward that place where they 
Should celebrate the wedding-day. 

The guests had come; and everywhere 
Old comrades' greetings and the rare 

Recounting of the former days 

By some, whose diverse fortunes' ways 

Had led them very far apart 

From early friends and place of start; 

While nearer neighbors talked upon 
How stock and crops were coming on. 



THE WEDDING 33 



The colored servants whisked about; 

For months they'd turned things inside out. 

They said: "Fer dis yere weddin' sure 
Wuz mos' glorious thing eber your 

Eyes w'u'd see dis side ob glory — 
Words c'n neber tell de story!" 

Under the trees the feast was spread. 
Only the branches overhead 

Shut out the vision of the sky, 
With its great dome of blue and eye 

Of the sun smiling through on all; 
While, from the leafage, came the call 

Of singing birds, trilling love-song 
To answering mates, to whom belong 

The family cares in homes near by; 
Where, swinging in the branches high, 

Patient, expectant motherhood 

Was cheered with song and hope of brood. 

'Twas something like when rivulets 
Of joy break loose and spurting jets 

From Love's glad heart mingle their streams 
Of soul-felt music, when the dreams 

Of life, with power and beauty, come 
To fulfillment in "Home, Sweet Home." 

Then, as God intended, the truth 
Of His love is our life, forsooth; 

And two hearts, having found the good 
In each, are blessed in parenthood. 



34 KATRINJE 



Which blesses oft again this earth 

By Christ's kingdom in childhood's worth. 

Such were the thoughts which stirred the hearts 
Of twain, whose own especial parts 

In life were making this their day. 
Now the Dominie led the way 

To where the wedding party, flanked 
By loyal negro servants, ranked 

According to their household place, 
Were circled round the outside space; 

While both families, with their kin. 
In easy order, waiting in 

Two long rows — one on either side — 
Formed an aisle for the train of bride 

To meet the groom at garden gate, 
Where he, in waiting, stood in state. 

Dominie Fryenmoet now gave 
Quick survey of that fair conclave, 

Then, as a signal, dropped a rose. 
Like the song of a lark, which grows 

With its flight, a sweet childish voice 
Softly lifted a mellifluous 

Strain whose spreading volume swelled till 
All that whole place it seemed to fill. 

With a cadence, then, as soft and low 
As brush of angels' wings which go 

Unseen by mortal eyes, but known 
By music of ethereal tone; 



THE WEDDING 35 



Till chorus of happy children, 
Scattering roses as they sang, 
Gave rapturous voice, in Holland Dutch, 
To the twenty-third psalm; so much 

The praise of God, the prayer of all, 
A benediction and a call 

To consecration of all life — 

To bride and groom— husband and wife — 

A heavenly hush, a holy calm 

Filled every heart with God's peace balm! 

And there, beneath the heavens blue. 
Each plighted other to be true. 
Then measured words fell from the lips 
Of the Dominie; as dew drips 
From the brow of the morning, caught 
By the sun and dextrously wrought 
Into sweetness and strength for hearts 
Of lilies and oak-trees, whose parts 

In God's plan, though widely diverse, 
Were His; and each lived to disperse 

His blessing and glory to man- 
Its own way, each; but His, the plan! 

Thus, blessings of Heaven besought 
The Dominie, asking that nought 

Of earth's destroying powers might 
Involve the present joy and light 

Of this glorious day; whose face 
Smiled promise of abundant grace 



36 KATRINJE 



For future years, secure and blessed 
With His leading into Life's best. 

Final commitment to God's care 

Was voiced by all in our Lord's Prayer; 

Benediction and "Amens" said, 
Congratulations then were spread 

Like sunshine o'er the happy pair; 
Who, now attended, led to where 

The tables, stretched beneath the trees, 
Groaned with weight of delicacies. 

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow," 
Till Nature's voice gave back echo. 

Their hearts sincere poured gratitude, 
As offering of their thanks to God. 



THE WEDDING 37 



Around that board were other friends 
Than those whose tie by blood pretends 

To claim heart consideration. 
Kekaumo, who long held station 

As Indian medicine-man, sat 
Not far from Petrius' right and at 

Left of where Squire Klaerwater, 
With his own attractive daughter, 

Held a court of conversation 
With pleasing edification. 

Lifting a glass of water clear, 
Turning to spring which bubbled near. 

The Indian said : "A toast to you, 
In the name of our Mother true! 

"This pure, sweet water, gushing forth 
From the great heart of Mother Earth, 

Is our life, from her heart to ours — 
Free coursing of her blood, with powers 

To makes our lives as sweet and clean. 
As strong and beautiful, as seen 

In her sincerity of heart. 

Of which this evidence is part! 

Sincerity! So heavenly fair, 

It's face shines Heaven everywhere! 

As the Great Spirit, through the sun, 
Reveals Himself to everyone! 

Better than gold or jewels rare 

That priceless gem! Such glory there 



38 KATRINJE 



That monarchs might well wish to claim 
Its virtues to enrich their fame! 

When man or woman finds such soul, 
Giving like, happiness is whole! 

So, here's to Happiness, good Friends! 
Long life to each and both, while bends 

The arch of Heaven down to you, 
And wee papooses stepping through 

Into your wigwam, share that bliss 
Which you've found in a world like this: 

And I am sure, 'twill not be long 

Ere they sing, too, Life's sweetest song!" 



THE ALARM 39 



THE ALARM 

Scarce had the last note of good-will 
Been spoken when, o'er the hill, 

Came messenger, running with stride 
As if the wings of the wind, tied 

To his feet, gave desperate speed 
To announce some desperate deed. 
Straight to Petrius hastened he; 
Advised with him most quietly; 

Then quickly on again he strode 
Through the fields to the old Lime Road. 

Katrinje's ears his words had caught — 
She pondered well the vexing thought! 

An Indian uprising had come 
Again to menace peace and home. 

The Napanogs had suddenly 
Called council at the "Big Pine Tree;" 
Where tumbling falls leap o'er high brink 
Some four miles back from Wawarssinck. 

They planned to have a holiday, 
Sweeping with torch along the way 

Down the valley, clear to King's-town! 
Such was the word the man brought down. 

A friendly Indian passed the word 
To Abe Bevier; which, when he heard 

Saddled his horse and fairly flew 
All about Wawarssinck and through 

To Kahanesing garrison; 

And they had sent the warning on. 



40 KATRINJE 



Petrius, rising, bowing low 

To the Indian, said: "Kekaumo, 

Our thanks! We love you as our friend! 
We know your heart is true; but bend 

Your bow; and, with an arrow dipped 
In this same love we know and tipped 

With a flint whose strike calls the spark. 
Let go straight to the steely mark 

Of hearts of other Indians here 

Till they glow with like warmth sincere! 

That messenger just brought us news 
Of a plot to turn fire-brands loose 

Throughout our valley beautiful! 
Dastardly! We are dutiful 

To our homes and families — all! 

And to such friends, like you, whose call 

To our hearts gives us well to know 
That hearts like yours ne'er stoop so low. 

As with a stealthy tread and hand 
Of death — a fire-destroying band — 

Would seek to do despite to those 
Who count you brothers, and not foes! 

So we reciprocate your toast! 
'Sincerity of heart" — no boast 
Of anything, save just the truth — 
Most valiant strength for age and youth; 

But, let it here be understood 

That should you hold our friendship good 

We, on our part, shall call it well; 
If not, I can not, just here, tell 



THE ALARM 41 



What consequence may follow free 
Upon the heels of treachery! 

If, as we feel, you are our friend, 
You will quickly put some fixed end 

To such things as this! Do but prove 
By quick action, how much that love 

You bear us holds of verity — 
How much of heart sincerity! 

We've always sought to treat you well; 
And, if you've aught against us, tell 

Us now what ling'ring grievance lurks 
To give place and power to such works 

As this we hear about! If friends. 
The spirit of our love transcends 

Such ignorance and malice mad, 

Whose eyes are bhnd, whose heart is bad! 

If we be men who cherish right. 
Let the Great Spirit be our light! 

Let peace between our peoples dwell. 
And here make Heaven — not a Hell! 

Brother, eat, drink and haste away 
And ne'er stop till you stoutly stay 

This murderous scheme! But, ere you go, 
Let your blood with mine swear that no 

Red man's heart shall e'er bum with hate 
Toward us, who on our part wait 

Only to show you fellowship. 
With heart as well as word of lip!" 



42 KATRINJE 



THE COVENANT 

Tetrius, brothers sworn are we! 
Kekaumo's heart speaks: 'If need be, 

Kekaumo's heart will give its blood 
And stop its beat to turn the flood 

Of any evil that may come 

To you or yours, or to that home 

Which you and your fair bride, this day, 
Are setting up along Life's way! 

I go; and you need have no fear 
That a red man will e'er come near 

With fire or deed of deadly harm! 
Kekaumo has a strong right arm! 

Kekaumo is medicine-man! 
Kekaumo speaks so winds' ears can 

Catch his words and carry them on 
Till every red man's heart takes down 

The message that Kekaumo gives — 
And there is not the Indian lives 

Who will not lift his face to Sun 

And bow his head and say, * 'Tis done!' 

Let nothing mar your wedding-feast! 
Farewell! May every day, at least, 

Bring you that joy and sweet content 
Which from Kekaumo's heart are sent! 

Farewell!' " The Indian mounted steed; 
And, far away, the hastening speed 

Of echoed hoof-beats sounded faint, 

As though "Farewell!" were prayed by saint! 



FULFILMENT 43 



FULFILMENT 

And such Kekaumo was, that day — 
A saint indeed, in earthly clay, 

Whose spirit, with its power, dwelt 

Where need could reach when need was felt! 

And thus the wedding-feast progressed 
In peaceful valley, undistressed 

As evidence of truth in toast 
Kekaumo proffered to his host, 

Upon his wedding-day with her — 
Katrinje — there at Rochester! 

Whate'er calamity befell 
Other hamlets, truth 'tis to tell 

That Rochester ne'er shared such fate 
As fire or death through Indian hate. 

Petrius and Katrinje long 

Abode at their new home, where song 

Of love with daily toil was blent; 
And oft their little children spent 

Their happiest hours in listening 
To that old story once again, 

About Kekaumo, doctor-man, 
Who gave such good heart medicine 

That all disease of red man's hate 
Was sure to quickly dissipate! 

And later still, on Grandpa's knee 
Or huddled round, attentively, 



44 KATRINJE 



Little heads — a dozen or more — 
Would bob and say, "One more before 

We go to bed, grandpa! That one 
About the Indian man — ^the one 

Who gave toast to Grandma and you, 
Then made his wishes all come true!" 



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